as in harassment
the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another
the endless pestering finally drove me to study at the library
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in teasing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in bothering
to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation
one resident pestered the condo board about every little thing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pestering
Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
No kid brother tagging along, pestering him with questions, pushing up on his social circle.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 31 Dec. 2025
Toy companies and trinket manufacturers were buffeting kids with ads, and children were pestering their parents for gifts.
—Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2025
Hawke’s Hart holds serve in all of these scenes, motormouthing, pestering, insisting, utterly unable to help himself, sometimes in the most literal interpretation of the phrase.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, the ewe who gave birth to her won't go away or stop pestering these human usurpers.
—Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Alex Caruso was the ace in the hole, pestering and prodding Jokic to death in Game 7.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
Schroder, who has a reputation for pestering opposing point guards, is the head of that spear.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
No kid brother tagging along, pestering him with questions, pushing up on his social circle.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
The strengths that those same opponents will spend long hours trying to account for — Nix’s pestering speed, a relentless pass-rush that produced a franchise-record 68 sacks, including four of Lance — aren’t changing either.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
No kid brother tagging along, pestering him with questions, pushing up on his social circle.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 31 Dec. 2025
Toy companies and trinket manufacturers were buffeting kids with ads, and children were pestering their parents for gifts.
—Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2025
Hawke’s Hart holds serve in all of these scenes, motormouthing, pestering, insisting, utterly unable to help himself, sometimes in the most literal interpretation of the phrase.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, the ewe who gave birth to her won't go away or stop pestering these human usurpers.
—Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Alex Caruso was the ace in the hole, pestering and prodding Jokic to death in Game 7.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
Schroder, who has a reputation for pestering opposing point guards, is the head of that spear.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
No kid brother tagging along, pestering him with questions, pushing up on his social circle.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pestering
Noun
-
Many of his victims said that their relationships with family members, employers and partners were irreparably harmed as a result of Hardy's hacking and harassment, which often included sending nude photos of his victims to people in their personal networks.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
-
In September 2021, the Spirit fired head coach Richie Burke following allegations of emotional and verbal harassment.—
Emily Olsen,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If your knee is bothering you, for instance, the vibration might distract your brain enough for the pain to temporarily retreat.—
Jennifer Heimlich,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Is a man bothering you at a bar?—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
A little naughty, a little nice, kitten heels offer nine-to-five wear in polished yet practical form.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2026
-
More like raw, bold, and sometimes a little naughty.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After much teasing, Jessie Ware has finally announced Superbloom, her first new album in three years.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Even if humor and teasing are standard in your relationship with your child, this is a moment that calls for a more thoughtful response.—
Christian Dashiell,
Parents,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Scottish actor John Hannah was Evelyn’s troublemaking brother Jonathan.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Over the years, Greg has gotten into fights with his best friend Rowley and troublemaking brother Rodrick, he’s gone to summer camp and saved his school, even tried his hand (disastrously) at sports.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This can be achieved through a winger’s crafty skating, stickhandling and deception to cut into the middle while carrying the puck, or, more commonly, by making skilled passes into the slot area.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Food and drink The all-day Mowry & Cotton with its upscale Americana interior and expansive patio has an approachable menu of seasonal salads, steaks, seafood, and flatbreads from the wood-burning oven along with crafty cocktails including a smoked Old Fashioned that’s torched tableside.—
Lizbeth Scordo,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pestering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pestering. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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